Paula Rich, Davis Home Trends

Building Business Using The Golden Rule

There aren’t many folks out there who find their career while still in college. Many of us hold at least another job or two, if not several, before landing where we will spend our professional lives. Paula Rich, President and CEO of Davis Home Trends, did exactly that.

When she started at Davis Home Trends at 23, she thought it was a good place to learn and grow for a few years. She’s just celebrated her 19th year with the business in February, and as of nine years ago she’s the co-owner.

Over the years she’s grown her passion for helping others enjoy their homes through her work. She’s helped build a successful business on foundations of trust and hard work. We had the opportunity to sit down with her to hear more about her story and advice she’d give to other women in the home and furnishings industry. Check out the full conversation below.

Q&A

How did you get started at Davis Home Trends?

Davis Home Trends was a job I started in college. Little did I know walking in the doors the first day that this would become my future. I started college a little late at 22. I had been successful with a home builder and was in sales for windows prior to this and I saw an ad in the newspaper and I was like, ‘Oh, great, I just need a job. I just want to learn and study and this will be a great place to be for a couple of years.’ It was only supposed to be a retail job at a retail company, and within two months they gave me more responsibility and a raise. It was wonderful and where I wanted to be. I grew from a retail employee to full time sales and then to marketing, and then nine years ago my husband and I purchased the company. 

It’s pretty cool to go from working for a company to owning it.

I was there for about six months and my boss at the time said, ‘I think one day you should buy our company.’ I laughed because we were just having a good time. I went on a date that same night with my now husband and I told him we should get married and buy the store one day. He played along and agreed. It was not anywhere near reality but it was a planting of that little seed to say this is possible, you can own something. I was studying business administration so it was in my wheelhouse. It was that little seed that she planted that bloomed and that I held onto. 

What makes you so passionate about the business that you ultimately decided to buy it?

I would say I’m very passionate about helping people. I know for some people that is medicine or something like that. But I think to be able to help somebody enjoy their life, which is their home, is an incredible calling. I don’t take it lightly. When somebody chooses to work with me, especially when I was very young, I really truly felt they were trusting me. Yes, I had a good product and we still do, so it wasn’t about the product and me being a salesperson. I really felt like people trusted me as a kid to decorate their home. My passion truly is helping people and I get to find great products and services that truly do that. 

I don’t think folks often realize how much a home can impact your life.

In the last couple of years my husband and I have done a home remodel. We did a new kitchen and a new bathroom, and it really did change things. Even though I do this every day and I help others every day, I personally experienced the benefit of getting ready every morning in a lovely place. I really got to see the clarity of mind. It doesn’t have to be over the top, but a clean, neat and welcoming environment is a great way to start the day. 

What is Davis Home Trends all about?

Going back to my last answer, we really want to help people enjoy their homes and maintain their homes. We sell window coverings; that helps you control light in your home, it’s insulation. It’s not always about the beauty of the product, but first they need to function and fit. We do all custom furniture and we really fit that person to the right chair, the right sofa. It always comes from a place of fit and function – fitting the space and the person. We want to help people enjoy their homes.

What would you say is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career?

It really is to treat people how you want to be treated. That could mean everything from simply being honest to working hard for somebody. I have seen the dividends pay off when you treat people right. People want to buy from people. As big as this world gets and as digital as this world gets, people still buy from people. If you can treat people well and make them feel great with sincerity, people see that. I have clients who knew me as a 24 year old kid and I used to come into work with jeans and a polo shirt–they’ve watched me grow. It’s because I’ve treated them well and they’ve treated me well, so I have received the benefits. I think that is what I have learned and continue to learn. Treat your clients, treat your staff, treat everyone how you want to be treated. 

How did you first hear about WithIt? 

Honestly, it was the power of email marketing. I believe it was the Las Vegas Market in January, 2024. About a year and a half before that, I got an email for the market and I saw an event pop up for the WOW Awards. I started looking into the organization and decided to join around fall of 2023. I thought these are probably some ladies I want to get to know. It was the purpose, the networking, the education. The first event I went to was the WOW Awards in Las Vegas in 2024. I just thought. ‘I want to be in a room with these people.’ That’s another side lesson: go hang out with the people you want to be. That’s a great place to be because there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

Why would you say an organization like WithIt is important?

I think anything that promotes camaraderie and friendship and networking has a place. A lot of us – especially as a business owner – in some of our jobs we’re alone. To see all of these successful people, to look across the room and say that gal does what I do every day, there’s a lot of power in that. I think there’s so much power in rubbing elbows and breathing the same air as these people who do what we do all day long.

Everybody should join WithIt! I just think that it’s such a great organization and I’m really proud to be in it. 

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If you’re considering WithIt membership for your professional journey, find out more about WithIt’s mission here or join today.